The best bet for returning to the Moon is based on the idea of “cumulative” results. That is, every mission there improves the place, so missions are not redundant, and can last on the Moon longer and be more productive.
The cheapest and best way to do this with existing technology is to first send nuclear powered tunneling robots. Horizontal tunnel habitats in the interior walls of crater cliffs, plugged with pressure doors, solves the big problems on the Moon.
They protect from vacuum, extremes of heat and cold, cosmic and enhanced radiation, and the very abrasive Lunar dust. The robots could begin years before people set foot on the Moon, and continue to tunnel even after the people leave, creating a larger and larger habitat. And while the people visit, they would have abundant energy from the robots nuclear power.
Since the robots would be on a one way trip to the Moon, their landers could be designed to be cannibalized for pressure doors, structural supports, ceiling, walls and floor, all “plug and play” for that purpose, wired with electrical and other conduits.
And, after a substantial, permanent Moon base was built, the concept could be reused to go to Mars. A far more hospitable place if improved by robots for years before we set foot on it.
All of that is very sound and doable but where is it in the Koran? For it to be done, doesn’t it have to involve muslim outreach?
In all seriousness though, very sensible. I couldn’t resist the current focus of Nasa humor.
We have learned a lot about the formation of the solar system, the earth and the moon from the moon rocks we have already gathered. More missions will compound that knowledge. More missions and, hopefully a permanent base will only compound that knowledge and benefit our view of early earth. It’s clearly a step forward.
Nucular powered robots? That nucular part sounds dangerous. Don’t want it blowing up in the sky. We’ll pass. Next idea?